The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that a proposal remains on the table to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, but the opportunity for an agreement is "closing fast."
A State Department spokesperson said the plan would include the release of five live hostages, including American Edan Alexander, along with a "substantial number" of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
"The opportunity is still there, but it's closing fast," the spokesperson added, emphasizing Washington's support for Israel while calling the proposal "compelling."
Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced the resumption of ground operations in Gaza, as a second day of airstrikes killed at least 48 Palestinians, according to local health officials cited by Reuters. A day earlier, more than 400 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, marking one of the deadliest days since the war began in October 2023, Reuters reported.
The renewed fighting shattered nearly two months of relative calm following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.
The latest escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza has killed over 49,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, and displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population of the enclave. The humanitarian crisis has also sparked allegations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani cultural ministers signed a 2025–2026 roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting in Bishkek.
On April 23, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Xi Jinping of China convened an expanded meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 23rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
In India’s deadliest terrorist attack in nearly two decades, 26 people were killed and 17 injured when suspected militants opened fire on tourists in the Kashmir region, triggering national outrage and renewed concerns over security in the volatile territory.
On April 23, a ceremony for the signing of documents between Azerbaijan and China was held in Beijing, with the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani cultural ministers signed a 2025–2026 roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting in Bishkek.
On April 23, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Xi Jinping of China convened an expanded meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday.
Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani cultural ministers signed a 2025–2026 roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting in Bishkek.
Kazakhstan and Russia are set to launch 27 new joint projects worth $8 billion, signalling a notable expansion in bilateral economic cooperation.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Adil Karimli met his Kyrgyz counterpart Mirbek Mambetaliev in Bishkek to discuss cultural collaboration, highlighting key initiatives like the Kyrgyz Culture Days in Baku and joint projects like the new school in Aghdam.
Azerbaijan and Algeria held their second round of political consultations in Algiers on Monday, led by Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Algeria’s Secretary General of Foreign Affairs Lounes Magramane.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening economic, energy, and diaspora-related ties with Saudi Arabia.
On April 23, a ceremony for the signing of documents between Azerbaijan and China was held in Beijing, with the participation of Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China.
Beijing has criticized Washington's pressure tactics, warning that threats and coercion are not conducive to resolving trade tensions between the two countries.
Kyrgyz and Azerbaijani cultural ministers signed a 2025–2026 roadmap to deepen bilateral cooperation during a meeting in Bishkek.
On April 23, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Xi Jinping of China convened an expanded meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
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